Nursing bottle nipple and shield therefor



Dec. 18, 1951 J. KRONISH NURSING BOTTLE NIPPLE AND SHIELD THEREFOR Filed Jan. 11, 1947 Patented Dec. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NURSING BOTTLE NIPPLE AND SHIELD THEREFOR Joseph Kronish, Mount Vernon, N. Y.

Application January 11, 1947, Serial No. 721,607

and then filled with milk. In the latter case, it

isoftenthe practice to set aside the entire bottle until such time as the infant is to be fed.

For'obvious reasons, it is important that the nipple be'retained in sterile condition prior to its introduction into the infants mouth. It is also desirable that the milk itself be shielded from the atmosphere during periods of storage.

It is a general object of my present-invention to provide an improvedassembly of nipple and nipple shield whereby procedures of the foregoing character are simplified, and whereby the desirable and important safeguards against contamination are more reliably assured.

The objectivesof the invention are achieved by recourse to the-type of protective device which consists-of a shield-of relatively rigid character applicable to the nipple prior to sterilization. The-employment of such a shield gives rise to the problem'of assuring complete contact'of the enclosed nipple, especially the mammilla thereof, with'the sterilizing medium, while at the same time allowing the nipple and shield assembly to be freely handled after'sterilization, and allowing the shield to beultimately removed without any-danger of contaminating the-mammilla of the nipple. By means ,of the present invention, Ihave solved, this problem in a uniquely efiicient manner. The improved nipple and shield are relatively simple and inexpensive to make, devoid ofstructural complications, easy to clean and sterilize, and readily manipulable during the contemplated assembly, adjustments and disassembly thereof Briefly stated; the present invention is characterizedjby the employment of "a nipple having an apertured mammilla andan attachment rim, in combinationwith a shield engageable with the nippleonly at 'therim thereof and provided with a; portion which encloses the mammilla. The

12Claims. (o1. 121F252) shield and nipple are so constructed that, when assembled.'they may be selectively adjusted into The parts either of two different relationships. are-so formed that in one of the positions of the shield, its enclosing portion is spaced from the mammilla of the nipple at all points,xwhilea.

sterilizing passage is established between the:

outside of the shield and the interior thereof;

-' whereas, in the other position of the shield-rela tive to the nipple, both the sterilizing passage and the mammilla aperture are automatically sealed;

'I achieve these general objects and advantages, and such other objects and advantages :as may hereinafter appear or-b'e pointed out, in

any-of the various alternative ways illustrated.

in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure lis a front view-of the improved nipple and shield combination;

Figure 2 is a top View thereof;

Figure 3 is an elevational section on the line 3--3 of Figure 2, with the shield in sterilizing position;

' Figure 4 is an elevational section similar to Figure-3, showing the shield in sealing position; Figure Sis a :front .view of a modified construc. tion;

Figure G-is an elevational section ofthe device of Figure 5-, with the shield in sterilizing posi-.-

tion;

Figure 7' is an elevational section similar to- Figure 6, showing thev shield in sealing position;

Figures is -a top view of the device of Figures- 5-7, half being broken away torreveal 13118.11]: terior;

Figure 8A is a fragmentary section showing another modification differing slightly from that of Figure -8;

Figure 9 is a front view, half being broken away, of another modification in which the shield is screwed onto the nipple '(instead of Referringtothe embodiment shown in-Figures llto 4, thenipple 9 is preferably made of rubber" or itsequivalent, and has'an annular attachmentrim 8 provided with internal screw threads- I by which the nipple may be secured to the correspondingly threaded mouth 2 of nursing bottle I. The nipple is provided with the conventional nippletip or mammilla 5pierced by one or more apertures 4. The shield I0 is composed'of relatively rigid material such as aluminum or other suitablemetal, glass, or plastic or the like, and

an enclosure ortion l9 within which the" mammilla of the nipple may be housed, as shown inFigures. 3 and 4. Instead ofbeingconic as shown; the shield may-be formed to correspondmore or less to the outline or configuration of the nipple, or it may have any other desired shape so long as it conforms to the basic features of the invention as will now be described.

Shield II] has an annular sleeve I8 internally dimensioned to fit over the annular rim 8 of the nipple, Figures 3, 4. The edge of sleeve I8 may have a reinforcin bead I'I. Preferably, the width ofgshield sleeve I8 substantially equals the width of rim 8 of the nipple, see Figure 4. The sleeve I8 is provided with one or more slots I3 which open to the edge of the sleeve. In the their respective shield slots I3, thus entirely closing the openings which were presented in the sterilizing position, Figure 3. Preferably, the lower part of the shield, where it joins the annular sleeve I8, may have an inward projection I6 which abuts the top or shoulder 6 of nipple rim 8, see Figure 4.

It will be observed that in the sealing position, Figure 4, not only is an air-tight fit provided by the abutment of rimshoulder 6 and projection I6 and the abutment of nipple lugs -3 against "the ends of shield slots I3, but the shield I0 is embodiment illustrated, slots I3 extend. from the edge of the sleeve I8 to its juncture with'the portion I9 of the shield, although the slots I3 need not necessarily extend for the entire width number and in angular disposition to the slots I3'of the shield. Three slots I3 and threecorresponding lugs 3 are shown in Figures 1-4, equispaced as best seen in Figure 2; but one slot and lug, as well as two or more, are within the contemplation of the invention. For example, if two were employed, they would preferably be diametrically disposed; four would be equi-spaced 90 apart. Each nipple lug 3 is adapted to fit in the corresponding shield slot I3.

The end wall of the portion I9 of the shield is rounded into a cap I4 which, when the shield is fully seated over the nipple, as in Figure 4, comes into abutment with thetop portion of m-ammilla 5 and completely seals its aperture 4.

When the nipple is to be sterilized the shield I0 and nipple 9 are assembled, prior to subjection to steam or immersion in the sterilizing bath, by placing the shield in enveloping position with the lugs 3 of the nipple received within shield slots I3. However, the shield is not forced fully into seated position on the nipple but is left in the partially applied position shown in Figure 3 (also Figure 1). In this position, the inner ends ofthe slots I3 constitute openings communicating with the interior of the shield. At the same time, sufiicient of the shield sleeve I8 engages the nipple rim 8 to frictionally hold the two in this position, which will hereafter be referred to as the sterilizing position.

The nipple and shield, with the latter in sterilizing position, Figure 3, as described, are then placed in the sterilizin bath. It will be observed from Figure 3, that a free passage is provided for the sterilizing medium to enter the slot openings and freely contact all exterior surfaces of the nipple within the shield. Obviously, the sterilizing medium also reaches the interior surfaces of the nipple. The nested shield and nipple are ultimately removed from the sterilizer by grasping the shield, and the assembly may then be set aside, or may be immediately applied to a sterilized and filled nursing bottle. In the forms of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 9, the attachment of the nipple to the bottle is accomplished by screwing the nipple onto the threaded mouth of the bottle. It will be observed that this may be readily done without separating the shield from the nipple.

If the nippled bottle is to be used immediately, the shield is then pulled off. If it is to be placed in reserve or left to cool, the shield may be pushed down to its fully applied position, as shown in Figure 4, this position being hereafter. referred to as the "sealing position. In this position the nipple lugs 3 are fullvfitted into a number of outwardly projecting lugs 3 corresponding in entirely free of openings to the atmosphere. It will also be observed that cap I4 of the shield abuts mammilla 5 of the nipple and completely closes its aperture 4. Thus the nursing bottle may be left in sealed position, Figure 4, for any length of time without danger of exposing the sterilized nipple or the content of the bottle to the atmosphere, and without danger of leakage of the content of the bottle.

The embodiment of Figures 5 to 8 is similar to that of Figures 1 to 4--similar parts bearing the same reference characters--except for the sleeve portion of the shield and the annular rim of the nipple, Shield II! has an annular sleeve 28 which is not disrupted by open slots, such as the slots I3 of Figures 1 to 4. Sleeve 28 is unslotted, but is not completely cylindrical, being formed with outwardly projecting pockets 2I. One or more of such pockets may be employed; three equi-spaced pockets 2| are shown in Figure 8. Each pocket 21 is closed at its inner end by an end wall or shoulder 22, see Figures 6 and '7, and is open at the bottom. At points corresponding to the pockets 2I of the shield, the.

annular rim 8 of the nipple is provided with outwardly projecting lugs each of which is formed with a longitudinal opening. I have illustratively shown each lug provided with a groove I2 which defines spaced ears II, see Figure 8. Each pair of ears is received in the respective shield pocket 2 I.

In the sterilizing position of the shield, Figures 5 and 6, the end wall 22 of the pocket 2| is spaced from the top of nipple ears II, so that a passage is provided for the sterilizing medium entering the lower end of groove I2. In the sealing position of the shield, Figure 7, annular shield projection I6 and pocket wall 22, which is in horizontal alignment therewith, abut the shoulder 6 of the nipple rim and the tops of the spaced ears II, II, to completely out ofl the passage into the interior of the shield.

In Figures 5-8, the groove I2 is disposed between spaced ears II, II. Instead of forming a pair of ears, a single ear or lug such as that shown at II in Figure 8A, may be provided. In this case, the cross-sectional area of the shield pocket 2| is purposely made larger than that of the lug, whereby the space I2 between the lug and the shield pocket 2I serves as a passage for the sterilizing medium.

In the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4 and Figures 5 to 8A, the shield I0 is in each case frictionally forced over the nipple rim 8 by an axial non-rotative movement. This has certain advantages, especially where the securement of the nipple to the bottle neck is by screw threads which call for a rotative movement. However, other means may be employed to associate the shield and nipple, such as the screw threaded arrangement shown in Figure 9. Rim 8 of the nipple is in this case provided with external threads 3*; and the sleeve 38 of the shield is,

provided-with:correspondingxinternal threads 53!; Shield-z sleeve; 38 aalso provided. with? one or. more -circumferentially.disposedgslots 32:;preferablyplaced next to the annular-projection 16 :of

the shield- The shieldr .is :shown .in F.'igure: 91in sealing. position, being; fuliy screwedyontothe nipple rimwith';its projection Iii-abutting the annular-shoulder 6 ,of :the nipple rim. This shuts off access to the interior of the shield, as does the closing: of sleeverslot-s 32 .bythe cylindrical surface of the nipple rim, as clearly shownin Figure :9. To change to sterilizing position; the: shield is unscrewed byaaxsmall extent to positionthe -:sleeve slots v32 :offset from: or above the rim shoulder 5'6, thusproviding -a-1free-isterillzing pas.- sage-into-the interior; of the shield;

In theembodiments of Figures :1, to 4, Figures; 5--to-z8A, and Figured, ,the nipple slfl is in each: casesscrewed onto the-:neckof the nursing bottle I.. Any other suitable securement .may be employed to associate the nipple with thebottle; suchuasthe frictional, pushover arrangement shownin Figure 10. Nursing bottle I x is tapered to- .-a constricted neck having.- an annular rim or bead-42.- The rim 4310f the nipple is designed to ,frictionallyfit: over bottle bead 42,.as shown in Figure '10, and to increase the yieldability and resiliency of-the nipple rim 48, an annular-ro lieving groove dsqmay be. provided on the exterior of therim. The association of shield l0 andgnipple 9Imay.be of the screw-thread type shown in: Figure 9 or. may be achieved by a simple frictional engagement. It isthe latter type of association :whichI have shown in Figure 10. The shield may be provided with one or more circumferentially arranged slots 32, which establish a communication tothe interior of the shield'when the latter is adjusted to sterilizing (partially applied) position, and which are automatically sealed when the shield is in the sealing (fully applied) position depicted in Figure 10.

The advantages of the. improved design of nipple and shield will be apparent from the foregoing description. The parts are individually of simple character, relatively inexpensiveto manufacture. They are easy to assemble, one with the other; No speciai skill is required to adjust the shield into partially applied position, so that the assembly may be sterilized. After sterilization, theassemblymaybe freely handled without any danger ofcontamination of the vital nipple surfaces The. application of the nipple to the bottle is a simple procedure, facilitated by the tact that the shield maybe freely handled and firmly grasped- Finally, the adjustment of the shield to sealing position, and its ultimate removal from the nipple when the infant is to be fed, are steps which are expeditiously accomplished.

Ingeneral, it will-be understood, that the vdetailsherein described and illustrated may obviously be modified in a number of respects by those skilled in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a nursing bottle nipple having an apertured mammilla and an attachment rim, and a shield having a portion enclosing said mammilla and a sleeve removably applicable to said rim, said shield being selectively adjustable into partially or fully applied positions relative to said rim, said rim having an outwardly prointo partially orfully applied positions relative,

to said rim, said rim being internally threaded for :rotative engagement with a correspondingly,

threaded neck of a nursing bottle, said sleeve and.

rim being interengaged for non-rotative axial shifting movements relative to each, other, said:

rim having an outwardly projecting lug; saldi sleeve having a slot arrangedto fit oven-said" lug, the inner end, of the slot constituting; a;

sterilizing passage through the shield wherrthe:

latter, is'in the partially applied positionrsaidi slot end being plugged by said lug when: the

shield is in the fullyxapplied position.

3. In combination, a nursing bottle nipple 113V?- ing-an apertured mammilla and an attachmentrim, and a shield having a portion enclosing :said} mammilla and a sleeve removably applicable to said rim, saidshield being selectively adjustable into partially or fully applied positions relative to said rim, said rim having an outwardly projecting lug provided with a longitudinal opening, said.

sleeve having an outwardly projecting pocket adapted to fit over said lug, said pocket havingan inner end wall which is spaced from said lug when the, shield is in the partially applied positiom whereby said opening establishes a sterilizing pass sage to the interior of the shield, said inner end: wall sealing said opening when the shield i in the fully applied position.

4; In combination, a nursing bottle nipple having an apertured mammilla and an attachment" rim, and a "shield having a portion enclosing said: mammilla and a sleeve removably applicable to said rim, said shield being selectively adjustable into partially or fully applied positions relative to said rim, said rim having an outwardly projecting lug, said sleeve having an outwardly projecting pocket adapted to fit over said lug, said pocket having a cross-sectional area larger than that of said lug so that when the shield is in the partially applied position the space alongside said lug constitutes a'sterilizing passage to the interior of the shield, said pocket having an inner end wall which seals said passage when the shield is in the fully applied position.

5; In combination, a nursing bottle nipple having an apertured mammilla and an attachment rim, and a shield having a portion enclosing said mammilla and asleeve removably applicable to said rim, said shield being selectively adjustable into either of two positions relative to said rim, said rim having an outwardly projecting lug, said sleeve having an outwardly projecting pocket adapted to fit over said lug, said lug and pocket being so formed that in one of said positions there is a sterilizing passage to the interior of the shield whereas in the other of said positions said passage is sealed.

6. In combination, a nursing bottle nipple having an apertured mammilla and an attachment rim, a shield having a portion enclosing said mammilla and a sleeve removably applicable to said rim, said rim having a substantially cylindrical outer surface of appreciable axial extent and said sleeve being cylindrical and of comparable axial extent so that said sleeve engages said rim in axially shiftable relation thereto and is selectively adjustable into either of two axially displaced positions relative to said rim, and coacting parts on said sleeve and rim defining a sterilizing passage from the outside to the interior of the shield when the shield is in one of said positions and sealing said passage when the shield is in the other of said positions.

'7. In combination, a nursing bottle nipple having an apertured mammilla and an attachment rim, a shield having a portion enclosing said mammilla and a sleeve removably applicable to said rim, said rim having a substantially cylindrical outer surface of appreciable axial extent and said sleeve being cylindrical and of compara ble axial extent so that said sleeve engages said rim in axially shiftable relation thereto and is selectively adjustable into either of two axially displaced positions relation to said rim, and coactingparts on said sleeve and rim defining a sterilizing passage from the outside to the interior of the shield and extending between said shield and rim when the shield is in one of said positions, said co-acting parts sealing said passage when the shield is in the other of said positions.

8. In combination, a nursing bottle nipple having an apertured mammilla and an attachment rim, a shield having a portion enclosing said mammilla and a sleeve removably applicable to said rim, said rim having a substantially cylindrical outer surface of appreciable axial extent and said sleeve being cylindrical and of comparable axial extent so that said sleeve engages said rim in axially shiftable relation thereto and is selectively adjustable into either of two axially displaced positions relative to said rim, co-acting parts on said sleeve and rim defining a sterilizing passage from the outside to the interior of the shield when the shield is in one of said positions and sealing said passage when the shield is in the other of said positions, threads on said attachment rim for securing said rim by rotative movement to a correspondingly threaded neck of a nursing bottle, and interengaging parts on said rim and sleeve for impeding rotation of said sleeve on said rim whereby said securement of nipple to bottle neck may be effected by rotative movement of said shield.

9. In combination, a nursing bottle nipple having an apertured mammilla and an attachment rim, a shield having a portion enclosing said mammilla and a sleeve removably applicable to said rim, said rim having a substantially cylindrical outer surface of appreciable axial extent and said sleeve being cylindrical and of comparable axial extent so that said sleeve engages said rim in axially shiftable relation thereto and is selectively adjustable into either of two axially displaced positions relative to said rim, and coacting parts' on said sleeve and rim'defining a sterilizing passage from the outside to the interior of the shield when the shield is in one of said positions and sealing said passage when the shield is in the other of said positions, said shield having an end wall which is spaced from said mammilla when the shield is in the sterilizing position and which seals saidmammilla aperture when the shield is in the sealing position.

' lOLIn combination, a nursing bottle nipple having an apertured mammilla and an attachment rim, a shield having a part which encloses said mammilla and a sleeve removably applicable to 'said' rim in snug-fitting relation thereto, and interengaging mean on said rim and sleeve for holding the nipple and shield in non-rotative relationso that securement of said nipple to a bottle neck may be effected by handling only the shield, said means comprising at least one projection on said rim and a part on said sleeve adapted to engage over said projection.

11. In combination, a nursing bottle nipple having an apertured mammilla and an attachment rim, a shield having a part which encloses 3 said mammilla and a sleeve removably applicable to said rim in snug-fitting relation thereto, and interengaging means on said rim and sleeve for holding the nipple and'shield in non-rotative relation so that securement of said nipple to a bottle neck may be efiected by handling only the shield, said means comprising an outwardly projecting lug on said rim and a slot in said sleeve adapted to fit over said lug.

12. In combination, a nursing bottle nipple having an apertured mammilla and an attach- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,191,516 Keil Jul 18, 1916 2,204,683 Lambert June 18, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 109,487 Australia Jan. 5, 1940 384,615

France Feb. 8, 1908 

